Thanks for all your replies.

@PsyGuy, I have been teaching the past 6 years, (past 3 1/2 at an international school in East Africa). Problem is that we are running into permit issues here, as the government is not issuing a renewal past 4 years for teachers. So essentially, I need to look for a new job. I am certified in Early Childhood & Childhood (birth - Grades 6) and Special Education (grades 1-6). I definitely want to obtain my professional certifications from NYS. I meet all requirements, just not this 6 hour workshop.

I'd like to live in America eventually, yet not now. We are open to most places (as long as it's not too polluted, which seems to rule out most of Asia). I have 3 dependents though, so know its not going to be an easy search.

My current New York initial certification recently expired. I applied for my professional certification about 6 months ago, yet am missing one 6 hr course on bullying (something that was implemented after my initial certification). I don't plan to return to NY simply to attend this 6 hour course, yet they seem quite set on not giving me my professional certification as a result. My question is will my expired initial certification hinder my chances of landing a new international teaching job (with visa/work permits), as I do not have a current teacher certification. I have about 6 years teaching experience and a masters in education, yet am missing this one component to be granted my professional certification. Very frustrating. I can possibly have my initial extended two years, yet this will come at an extra expense. otherwise, I can do this course when I'm back in the states, yet could be a couple years from now.

Thanks

In searching for teaching jobs in Europe, many schools mention they only hire teachers from within the EU. Or on the initial application ask for a copy of a work permit for that country. Does this rule out all schools that say this, or is there an alternative route to get a work permit in a country from within the EU prior to seeking employment?

thanks

Never hurts to try. I teach in East Africa currently. I too have a trailing spouse and two children. I'f you aren't too picky about where you teach, there are options out there. TZ is not far from Kenya, so maybe expand your search to surrounding counties around Kenya. We really like the school and lifestyle here. I too was warned about being an expensive hire, yet I got a job the first year I searched. Good Luck!

@peachestotulips VIPKid looks like a nice option, though they only work with certain countries. As we don't live in one of the countries they said they work with (due to internet connections), that wouldn't be an option.

@PsyGuy, would you mind telling me what ET is? I'd be looking for something part time and on my own hours.

Thanks

Just to jump in. Does anyone had success with part time tutoring online? I have looked at Upwork and a few other jobs to slowly get more into online work, hopefully to free up more time for travel/having mobility in the future.

@PsyGuy, I didn't declare the bank account, but as you said, it has under $10k, so does not need to be declared. I didn't have any income in the US during my stay there, so only foreign income. Thanks for your advice. I didn't realise it was so cheap to get some advice from a tax professional.

@Sid, thanks for your info. My tax info is very basic. No extras. Only my one foreign income. In your opinion, is it quite normal to get tax refunds while working oversees as an educator?

@ Sid, you wrote
"In your first year abroad, you need to get an extension on filing your
> taxes. (There's no fee/penalty for that, but you might end up paying
> interest if you owe taxes.) You get enough extensions to get you through to
> the point where you've met the 330 out of 365 target.”

Why would you need to file an extension? We never did our first year abroad (it’s our third year now). I’m assuming if you have high income from both jobs/different countries, its well worth doing that. We didn’t have high income from America the first 1/2 of the year, so never put us at the level where we had to pay more taxes. We also got a refund that year, since we were over 6 months in America.

I’m a little nervous going to Turbo Tax now. Followed the steps, yet seems so confusing.

@PsyGuy,

Yes, well to my knowledge, I did file accurately ( I have always filed TurboTax with no issues). Because I didn't meet the 330 day rule, I didn't (or couldn't) apply for the physical presence test (we were 6 weeks in America for the summer). Following the steps through TurboTax, it kept the $1000 per child as refundable. But yes, don't want to break any rules. Already sent my returns, so guess can only wait. Paying $400 for a professional is quite steep.

My only concern is that no one seems to know about this benefit.

*@PsyGuy You dont have to apply for the exclusion if you dont want to but then youd have to account for it as income that youd be required to pay taxes on, you could count it as self employment income.

--- don't quite get that statement. I mentioned that I received income from an employer. I did put my salary as my income, meaning i'd pay taxes on that amount, only that I made too little to be exempt for paying taxes in the US. Does this sound right?

Thanks

Last year I filed for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, thus being exempt for paying any US taxes... we also received no refund. As I am filing now (on Turbo Tax), due to being in America 5 weeks last summer, I did not qualify for the physical presence test. Now, it shows I will be getting $2000 (child tax credit). Does this sound right, as I am "paying taxes" now? Also, do we NEED to apply for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, even if we qualify?

I am currently living in Tanzania with my family (2 children). Nearest decent health care would be a 7 hour drive to Nairobi Kenya. I know many teaching families living in Tanzania, as well as other countries in East Africa, who really enjoy it. It's not for everyone, especially if you are looking for a higher standard of living. With that said, there are many perks living here with children (beautiful wildlife, friendly people, simplicity). I would definitely not close doors to opportunities here.

@PsyGuy, so basically, all the benefits from dependents' free tuition/flights etc. would raise my tax rate? It is that there are not many other options to live in Holland at the moment unless I was to get employment there, even though I married someone with Dutch citizenship.

What are your thoughts on applying for DODEA schools with dependents?

Nairobi has good care (Aga Khan). Otherwise, SA has the best within Africa, though more challenging to land a job, I'm guessing.

I still have another 1 1/2 year to finish up my contract in an international school in Africa. I am considering teaching in Europe next. I understand I am an expensive hire, given I have 3 dependents and know this will always make landing a job challenging. Though I am American, my wife and children all have Dutch nationality. Would this be an advantage if I was looking for jobs either in the Netherlands or other European countries? I would think different rules apply than if they did not have Dutch nationality. After this contract, I will have 6 years teaching experience with General and Special Ed certifications (grades 1-6).

Many Thanks